2027 Best Value Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Marketing](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/marketing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marketing education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marketing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Marketing Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marketing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marketing Schools
Our analysis ranked Kirkwood Community College the best value for a degree in marketing in the The Plains States Region. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Marketing graduates carry a median of $14,437 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $41,681. That is a strong return on a $14,437 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Des Moines Area Community College earned it the #2 place for marketing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $14,956. Marketing graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $43,121 early in their careers. Set against $14,956 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Century College one of the best values for marketing. Century College is a large public school located in the suburb of White Bear Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $6,214. Marketing graduates carry a median of $21,332 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Century College earn a median of $47,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marketing, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ozarks Technical Community College earned it the #5 place for marketing. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $30,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,370 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Crookston came in at #6 for value in marketing this year. Located in the town of Crookston, University Of Minnesota Crookston is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,288. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $22,587. Marketing graduates of University Of Minnesota Crookston earn a median of $44,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,587 median debt. University Of Minnesota Crookston admits about 88% of applicants.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #7 spot for marketing value this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,400. Marketing graduates of Saint Cloud State University earn a median of $49,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,400 median debt. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Normandale Community College placed #8 among the best values for marketing. Normandale Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,329. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,162. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Normandale Community College generally make around $53,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff came in at #9 for value in marketing this year. Set in the town of Poplar Bluff, Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,830, while out-of-state students pay about $6,060. Marketing graduates carry a median of $11,350 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Three Rivers Community College Poplar Bluff earn a median of $37,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,350 median debt.
Wichita State University came in at #10 for value in marketing this year. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the marketing program here. Early-career marketing graduates make about $39,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University placed #11 among the best values for marketing. 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. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $31,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $45,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Johnson County Community College landed the #12 spot for marketing value this year. Located in the city of Overland Park, Johnson County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,424, compared with $5,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,532 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Johnson County Community College generally make around $46,473. Set against $13,532 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Missouri earned the #13 position for value in marketing this year. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,050, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the marketing program here. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $43,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #14 for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $22,750. Early-career marketing graduates make about $59,609. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in marketing this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $47,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #16 for value in marketing this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Marketing graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Marketing graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $48,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Missouri Western State University came in at #17 for value in marketing this year. Missouri Western State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Joseph. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,545, with out-of-state students paying around $18,455. Marketing graduates carry a median of $25,950 in student loans. Early-career marketing graduates make about $43,070. Set against $25,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler Community College landed the #18 spot for marketing value this year. Butler Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of El Dorado. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,541, compared with $6,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $16,670. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Butler Community College generally make around $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn University placed #19 among the best values for marketing. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $27,000. Early-career marketing graduates make about $47,963. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #20 for value in marketing this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Marketing graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Marketing graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $48,557 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Lake Area Technical Institute placed #21 among the best values for marketing. Located in the town of Watertown, Lake Area Technical Institute is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,718. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $14,250. Marketing graduates of Lake Area Technical Institute earn a median of $32,043 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University earned the #22 position for value in marketing this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $20,678. Soon after graduation, marketing degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $42,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University landed the #23 spot for marketing value this year. Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pittsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, compared with $19,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,994. Marketing graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $44,401 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #24 position for value in marketing this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Marketing graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Marketing graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $51,354 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Southwest Minnesota State University earned the #25 position for value in marketing this year. 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. Typical student debt for marketing graduates is $23,425. Early-career marketing graduates make about $48,939. Set against $23,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Marketing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s marketing value ranking:
Narrow Marketing 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 64 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.